-1Anxious Night
"I thought you've forgotten about me. I'm honoured you still remember my name," Nikaidou said with a smile.
"Having not seen you for three years, I thought you and your boss gave up on XM2."
"I had difficulties finding you ever since that incident but no, XM2 remains to be very important to my boss and I aim to return it to him," Nikaidou said clearly, "of course the situation has changed form three years ago. Where you were once untouchable, you are more than vulnerable now Ikuto. Please don't struggle and hand it over."
Nikaidou walked towards Ikuto steadily but before he reached him, Kukai stood in his way. "The situation has indeed changed," Kukai hissed, "but that doesn't mean you can get to Ikuto easily either."
Nikaidou sighed, "Aren't you tired with this little game? We've been quarrelling and fighting over XM2 for way too long. Why don't we end it now?"
"End it," Kukai repeated, "easier said than done. Besides, XM2 is a threat to your boss not to Ikuto."
"How much do you know about XM2?" Nikaidou asked glaring at Kukai.
"I don't know what exactly it is but I know the contents or whatever XM2 is – it's a threat to certain people like your boss and Ikuto apparently has it," Kukai replied glaring back.
"If you don't know what it is then stay out of this," Nikaidou said with a warning tone to his voice.
"Why are you asking so nicely?" Sanjo couldn't help but ask Nikaidou from behind him. He had been standing there waiting for Nikaidou to finish his business for long enough and he couldn't possibly stand around any longer. He wanted a piece of Ikuto for his own revenge. "Screw whatever XM2; just finish Ikuto and the others off already."
"Kairi Sanjo, don't you dare make any moves," Nikaidou shouted, "we have an agreement."
Sanjo gritted his teeth, "fine. I understand. But tonight I'm more than mad. It doesn't seem like your planning to use any violence so I'll be taking my leave." Sanjo motioned at his men who followed him away from the scene.
"Are you sure you want to let your partner leave?" Ikuto asked, watching Sanjo disappear from sight.
"I'm not a man of violence and I try to avoid it," Nikaidou answered with a smile, "tonight, I'm only here to greet you and see where we stand."
"You call kidnapping my girl a greeting?" Ikuto said staring at Nikaidou, "I'd like to greet you someday too."
"Don't be this way; you've already done more than enough to Sanjo's men in return for the kidnap," Nikaidou pointed out, "I'll ask for the last time-"
"I too wish to end our game," Ikuto spoke over Nikaidou, "I've long given up in using XM2 against anyone so I would gladly give it to you. However I no longer have XM2."
"What?" Nikaidou whispered his eyes wide from surprise. He was not expecting this. "Don't try to lie-"
"I'm not lying," Ikuto said with a serious tone, "the reason why I allowed Sanjo to have the upper hand over me is because there wasn't a need for me to be untouchable anymore. I no longer have XM2 and I don't know where it is. There simply wasn't a need for me to be as powerful as I was in the past." Ikuto began to walk towards the exit of the park with Utau and Kukai following him. He turned once to look at Nikaidou before completely leaving, "I'm glad you came to me tonight Mr Nikaidou. Your efforts are praiseworthy but following me would not get you what you want. From now on, leave me and the people around me alone."
Nikaidou dropped to his knees and after staying still for a few seconds he broke up laughing in hysterics, banging his fists on the ground. "Ikuto...Ikuto Tsukiyomi, you really are something. I-I can't have wasted my past three years to find you and end up with nothing. I can't do that. We will see Ikuto, whether you really have become useless to me."
In the middle of the silent streets, Ikuto took out his mobile and began to press the buttons but stopped.
Kukai who was watching Ikuto from the side asked, "You want to call Amu?"
Ikuto closed his mobile, "there's no point in calling. She won't answer. I'll have to try and find her another way."
"I'll help out," Kukai offered. This was the first time he had seen Ikuto worried about another person besides him and Utau, it was refreshing in a way, almost like Ikuto has changed.
Ikuto smiled, "we'll keep in contact. It doesn't matter if you don't find her though."
Kukai nodded and ran towards the opposite direction to where Ikuto started to head off to. Utau who was walking besides Ikuto stopped. "Ikuto," she began.
Ikuto also stopped walking and turned to look at her. "What's wrong Utau?"
"You sure seem to care about that girl a lot don't you?" Utau whispered, "if only you'd care about-"
"I do," Ikuto said before Utau could finish her sentence. "Be good Utau. I'm not in the mood to be pampering you tonight."
Utau nodded, "well, please excuse me. I don't feel very well. I want to go home first."
Ikuto smiled, gently brushing her soft cheeks, "be careful Utau."
Utau smiled and gave Ikuto a quick kiss on his cheeks before she turned and headed home. Before she turned the corner though, she looked back at Ikuto and made certain he had left before she changed her direction. She headed back towards the park they were just at a few minutes ago. She wasn't at all surprised to see that Nikaidou was still there.
"So you waited for me," Utau said, walking towards him.
Nikaidou smiled at Utau, "isn't it shocking that he said that. Do you think he's lying?"
"I trust Ikuto," Utau responded, "if he says he doesn't have XM2 then he doesn't."
"I was very depressed when I heard he no longer have XM2," Nikaidou continued, "it was a shocking revelation after three years in trying to find him. I was worried at how I was going to explain myself to you know who."
"I will explain it to him," Utau offered, "it has been awhile since I went back."
Nikaidou smiled holding his hand out towards Utau, "well, if you would. Despite Ikuto Tsukiyomi claims he doesn't have it, I don't think he will rest until there is proof to show Ikuto really doesn't have it."
Utau took Nikaidou's hand, "be thankful. My presence has just saved you from his wrath. I wonder how angry he can be at me even when he knows."
"I assure you Miss Hoshina, he has little idea that you are- well I must say I was most anxious in meeting you tonight."
"Shall we go?" Utau asked, "I do believe our priorities have changed if XM2 is no longer upon the chess board. I feel like the faster we decide, the more beneficial it is for both sides."
"Certainly," Nikaidou said, leading the way, "
Utau smiled, knowing in the end, that man could never fully control her. He cannot and will not stop her plans either. She had decided a long time ago and the most important thing is she was the only one closest to Ikuto who knows both.
Inside the church, it was exceptionally quiet at night, since all the children were asleep. Amu put on her coat and stepped out her room quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone. Tadase had been really kind towards her, helping her with this and that. She could tell he really wanted to ask her what happened but forced him-self not to. Even if he asked, Amu would not tell. She walked up the stairs and all the way to the main entrance of the church. It was really strange. It was wrong, but there was a really strong desire in her to see Ikuto. It didn't matter if it was day or night, she just wanted to see Ikuto and be in his arms. "What am I doing?" Amu asked herself as she walked out into the cold dark night. She didn't know whether it was day or night Ikuto that was awake now, so how could she possibly tell where to go to find him and did she not make up her mind not to see him. She decided to stay away until she was fully healed so he wouldn't worry. Turn back, turn back now, Amu told herself but her body moved on its own accord and took her further and further away from the church. She had no idea where she was headed to; her mind filled with nothing but Ikuto. She didn't know how long she has been walking for but when she next looked and took notice of her surroundings, she was standing in front of the shrine. "So I came here," Amu whispered, staring up the stone stairs but averting her gaze away almost immediately. She turned and began to walk back towards the church when she heard his voice.
"COME TO ME! COME TO ME NOW AMU!"
There was a weird feeling inside Amu as she heard his voice, loud, demanding and clear. He was near her. She turned back towards the stairs and there he stood, with his sharp look and cunning smile. It was night Ikuto, but Amu didn't care, it was still him. Not caring about her injuries anymore, Amu ran up the stairs and leaped into his arms. She held him there in her embrace and the tears came out. It was at times like this that it was foreign and sometimes scary, her feelings towards Ikuto. They were uncontrollable and yet she didn't know what they were. Even in night Ikuto's arms, she felt so secure, something, she knew wasn't right for her to feel.
"You really did come here after all," Ikuto whispered, letting Amu hug him tighter. "I was looking for you. Did you know?"
Amu pulled away, wiped her tears and nodded. She didn't know what to say. She hadn't expected him to come look for her and knowing he did, it made her happy.
Ikuto gently held Amu's face in his palms, "he didn't hurt you any more than this? Sanjo, he didn't do anything more?"
"Ikuto-"
"I know he kidnapped you. I'm sorry I wasn't there," Ikuto said, "I already took care of things so-"
"Don't, please don't hurt yourself or do anything dangerous," Amu almost shouted, "I-I'm fine. I don't want you hurt. I don't. Please promise me you won't get hurt because I- I really want to protect you, Ikuto."
Ikuto stared at Amu and somehow, she seemed different to him. She seemed more truthful and Ikuto felt his heart melt from her kind words. This was not the first time someone had said this to him but this time, Amu was the girl he had somehow fell for. He was certain now; he was in love with her. The most stupid reason but it was probably love at first sight. He remembered the first night he met her and whether it was from his own cruelty and perverse personality, he wanted her. The first time he just wanted a girl. "Say that again", Ikuto whispered, pulling Amu close to him again.
"I can say it as many times but I won't change," Amu whispered back. She really did feel this way. She couldn't tell anymore whether her desire to protect Ikuto was normal; for a daughter to protect her father or whether she was so intense in protecting him to return to him what he had done for her. Because he adopted her when she had no one and gave her a life free of worries. Did she want to protect him to return his kindness? It was something she wasn't certain of at the moment but she knew she wanted to, "I want to protect you."
It was the strangest and probably most incompatible combination; their feelings but Ikuto wanted to try. He wanted to try and truly love Amu with all his heart. He wanted to experience loving a person even though he knew he may not be able to give her a future. "I don't want you protecting me Amu," Ikuto slowly said, "Do you think I'm that weak?"
"No, I just-"
"I understand. Protecting me is something you want to do isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll only let you protect me under one condition," Ikuto said with a smile.
Amu blushed, seeing Ikuto's sudden sweet and soft smile. It was a smile she never expected night Ikuto to have and it made her heart race.
"You must not get hurt no matter what," Ikuto finished, his smile turning into a serious expression. "Promise me, you will never let yourself get hurt, especially for me."
"I promise," Amu said gazing into Ikuto's eyes that now looked less sharp and piercing than before. It was weird; she didn't feel like herself right this moment. She only knew she was hopelessly mesmerised by Ikuto and she saw nothing more than him in her eyes, sensed nothing else but his presence with her. There was a strong desire in her that she felt now, one she never felt before. She wanted to touch him and be certain that he was besides her and that this weren't her dream. Why did she feel she needed to touch him to be secure? Was it because she was still scared from being kidnapped by Sanjo?
"Ikuto," she whispered, her hands touching his face gently whilst she leaned nearer to him. His hand lifted her chin, pulling her face closer and closer towards his. She felt his breath upon her lips and they were so close. Closer, they moved together...
"IKUTO, STOP."